New Durham grandmother indicted in boy's starvation case

DOVER - The grandmother of a boy who was starved and abused has been indicted for first-degree assault.

Peggy Starr, 265 King's Highway, New Durham, was indicted by a Strafford County grand jury March 14 for "failing to provide proper nutrition" to the boy between Aug. 1, 2008, and April 9, 2010. The indictment alleges Starr also caused "serious bodily harm" to the boy, who is now 9.

Starr's daughter, Christina Thomas, 33, of 214 Birch Hill Road, New Durham, was found guilty in February of first-degree assault after a 12-day trial in Strafford County Superior Court. Thomas was the primary caretaker of the boy - who is developmentally delayed.

The boy, who was undernourished, weighed about 33 pounds when he was placed in foster care and has since gained weight.

First-degree assault is a Class A felony which could result in up to 10 to 30 years in prison and a $4,000 fine.

Starr is scheduled to appear for arraignment in Strafford County Superior Court March 28 at 9 a.m.